Tainted beef implicated in an E. coli outbreak is being recalled by South Shore Meats, Inc. of Brockton, Mass. The recalled ground beef has been blamed for sickening 20 schoolchildren and adults from Rhode Island. They became ill after visiting Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, Mass. earlier this month.
The recall involves approximately 1,039 pounds of fresh ground beef patties derived from bench trim as well as mechanically tenderized beef cuts that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said. The products subject to the recall include:
10-pound boxes containing 40, 4-ounce packages of “Beef Sirloin Patties.”
7.5-pound boxes containing 12, 10-ounce packages of “Beef Teres Major Steaks Seasoned.”
Boxes of 24, 5-ounce packages of “BEEF BUTT STEAKS, (Filet Style).”
9-pound boxes containing 12, 12-ounce packages of “BEEF BUTT STEAK, Center Cut, (sirloin style).”
9-pound boxes containing 12, 12-ounce packages of “BEEF BUTT STEAK, Center Cut, (filet style).”
6.75-pound boxes containing 12, 9-ounce packages of “BEEF BUTT STEAK, Center Cut, (sirloin style).”
Boxes of 16, 10-ounce packages of “Beef Top Butt Steaks Sirloin Style.”
Boxes of 20, 8-ounce packages of “Beef Butt Steaks Club Style.”
Boxes of 26, 6-ounce packages of “Beef Top Butt Steaks Sirloin Style.”
Boxes of 12, 10-ounce packages of “BEEF BUTT STEAKS, (Filet Style).”
6-pound boxes containing 16, 6-ounce packages of “Beef Filet Of Sirloin, Executive Cut.”
Boxes of 12, 8-ounce packages of “BEEF BUTT STEAKS, (Filet Style).”
Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 6336″ inside the USDA mark of inspection and may also bear a date code of “281.” The beef products were produced on October 8, 2009, and were distributed to wholesale distributors and institutions in Massachusetts.
The recall is considered Class I, meaning there is “a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.
According to a report on Boston.com, there is evidence that the ground beef collected at Camp Bournedale was tainted with the same strain of E. coli confirmed in two children who attended the camp. Those two children, among the Rhode Island students who experienced gastrointestinal illness after attending a field trip at the camp, were hospitalized for several days.
Anyone with signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should consult their health care provider, local board of health, the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800 or the Food Protection Program at 617-983-6712.
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